Last night, it was impossible to ignore the fact that it’s time for the Charlotte Hornets to call up PJ Hall from the G League. The Hornets entered their matchup with the Sacramento Kings severely undermanned in the frontcourt. Ryan Kalkbrenner was a late scratch due to illness, and Grant Williams sat out for injury management.
Despite the shorthanded rotation, Charlotte mounted yet another second‑half surge to defeat the Sacramento Kings 117–109. The Ball‑Miller‑Knueppel‑Bridges quartet carried the load, combining for a staggering 100 points. But the game stayed far closer than it should have against one of the league’s weakest teams, largely because of the minutes absorbed by Xavier Tillman Sr.
On paper, Tillman Sr.’s stat line of two points, six rebounds, and three assists in 14 minutes might look serviceable. In reality, he struggled mightily. He appeared a step slow, frequently out of position, and never looked fully comfortable on the floor. His days as a meaningful contributor may be nearing their end.
Meanwhile, PJ Hall has flashed real promise in both his limited NBA minutes and his time with the Greensboro Swarm. Given that the Hornets could’ve used frontcourt help against the Kings, the solution feels straightforward.
Stellar play in both leagues
If you missed it, PJ Hall absolutely erupted in the Greensboro Swarm’s 42‑point demolition of the Delaware Blue Coats on Monday night. He finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, four blocks, and four made threes. It was one of his most complete and dominant performances of the season.
And this isn’t some outlier for the former Clemson standout. Back on February 11 during his NBA stint, Hall logged another impressive double‑double against the Atlanta Hawks, posting 11 points, 10 rebounds, and a steal in just 17 minutes. Whenever he’s been given real minutes, he’s produced.
Cracking the Hornets’ rotation is no easy task with Diabate, Kalkbrenner, and Williams ahead of him. Hall has simply been waiting for the right window to prove he belongs. With Xavier Tillman Sr.’s uninspired play lately, that window might finally be opening.
Yes, Hall is a bit undersized for a traditional NBA center, but his strong frame and above‑average wingspan help offset that. He could certainly benefit from more G‑League development, yet the Hornets are in no position to turn down frontcourt depth.
Charlotte is heading into a genuine litmus test with upcoming matchups against the Spurs, Heat, and Magic. Your “break glass in emergency” players are vital, as these are the stretches where roster optimization matters. Losing games at this point can derail momentum.
Players who bring energy, physicality, and effort tend to carve out roles on competitive teams. It’s how Diabate earned his minutes, and Hall fits that mold. This might be one of the deepest Hornets rosters in recent memory, but even so, Hall has shown enough to warrant a spot moving forward.